HYDROMETALLURGICAL METHOD FOR TREATING SULPHIDE ORES

摘要

The present specification discloses a process for treatment of the non-ferrous metals contained in pyrites deposits without attacking the pyrites content and without modifying the pyrites structure, so that in this way it is possible to treat several million tonnes of pyrites annually and operate a metallurgical technique of suitable proportions, without the necessity to roast the leaching tailings, i.e. the residual purified pyrites, except in accordance with the demand for sulphuric acid. It should permit treatment of the bulk ore or concentrates discussed above and to permit treatment of differential flotation rejects so as to make differential flotation profitable. In one aspect the specification discloses such a process for extracting zinc from a sulphur- and zinc-containing ore comprising:a) leaching the sulphur ores or concentrates with an aqueous solution of cupric chloride, which can be regenerated by means of a regenerating agent and air;b) subjecting the solution thus obtained to liquid-liquid extraction by means of an organic phase preferably containing a solvent chosen from acid organophosphorus compounds;c) recovering, preferably by elution, the zinc contained in the said organic phase after the said extraction.